Photo: Instagram.com/equipedumaroc
As the Moroccan football team faced two-time former champions Germany in Melbourn earlier today, they made history as the first Arab team to play at the Women’s World Cup. Although, the Atlas Lionsses suffered defeat in this first match in a way they have already won hearts across the region simply by making history.
Hoping to follow in the footsteps of the trailblazing men’s team in Qatar last year, captain Ghizlane Chebbak, who was cited by FIFA as the key player, told the federation, “Moroccan fans have that passion, as do us players, and we will give everything to make them satisfied.” Being one of the lowest-ranked teams in the tournament in addition to being placed in a group with veteran teams such as Germany, South Korea, and Colombia, it may be difficult for Morocco to win a game but that is not the point.
In a country where women’s football has been ignored for the most part, reaching the World Cup is a feat to be celebrated in itself. Not to mention that their road to the tournament has spiked interest in the sport around the country, inspiring many young girls to pursue their love for football or any sport for that matter. The team’s French coach Reyanald Pedros told The New York Times, “They showed us that they can fill stadiums and make Moroccans happy.” He added, “They did it on the African stage. Now we are hoping to do the same on the international one.”
